Photo via Yeshiva U.

“White shoe impresario” Schuyler Chapin died at his home yesterday at the age of 86.  He was dean of the School of Arts from 1975 to 1985.

Chapin was known as a master political maneuverer in the arts and a powerful public and private figure, and he once told the Times, “Politics are at their worst in the arts world and the academic world.” But he played the game well at Columbia: “on Mr. Chapin’s watch, enrollment doubled, and he raised $7 million and strengthened the fine-arts curriculum.”

Chapin’s other jobs included general manager of the Metropolitan Opera from 1972-1975 and cultural affairs commissioner of New York City from 1994-2001.